The musical was previously announced as part of the Atlanta theatre company's 2008-2009 season, but was postponed. A spring 2010 report stated that Academy Award nominee Liv Ullmann would helm the production.
The Alliance has now revealed that artistic director Susan V. Booth will direct the musical, which will premiere April 4-May 13, 2012, as the final production of the upcoming season.
Ghost Brothers has a score by Mellencamp and a book by horror novelist King. T Bone Burnett will musical direct.
Here's how the Alliance bills the premiere: "In the tiny town of Lake Belle Reve, Mississippi in 1957, a terrible tragedy took the lives of two brothers and a beautiful young girl. During the next forty years, the events of that night became the stuff of local legend. But legend is often just another word for lie. Joe McCandless knows what really happened; he saw it all. The question is whether or not he can bring himself to tell the truth in time to save his own troubled sons, and whether the ghosts left behind by an act of violence will help him – or tear the McCandless family apart forever."
Burnett was also involved in a three-CD recording of Ghost Brothers. The yet-to-be-released album was reportedly produced like a radio play, with a full book of text, as well as two CDs that include all dialogue and songs and a third CD with only the music. A release date has not been announced. The cast for the recording included Kris Kristofferson in the role of the father, Joe; with Elvis Costello as the satanic character, The Shape; Roseanne Cash as the mother, Monique; and Will Daily (Frank), Dave Alvin (Jack), Phil Alvin (Andy) and Mellencamp (Drake) as the sons. Sheryl Crow was Jenna, Neko Case was Anna, with boxing legend Joe Frazier as caretaker Dan Coker and novelist King in the role of Uncle Steve. Glenn Morshower served as the narrator.
The Alliance has also announced additions and complete dates to its previously announced season. Newly added are God of Carnage (Jan. 11-Feb. 5, 2012); Meg Miroshnik's The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls (Feb. 3-26, 2012); and Stephen Jeffreys' I Just Stopped By to See the Man (March 9-April 8, 2012).
The season will also include Into the Woods (Aug. 31-Oct. 2); Tovah Feldshuh in Golda's Balcony (Oct. 12-Nov. 6); Broke (Sept. 23-Oct. 23); Sex and the Second City (Nov. 11-Dec. 18); The Real Tweenagers of Atlanta (Oct. 29-Nov. 13); and The Wizard of Oz (Feb. 25-March 11, 2012).
For tickets phone (404) 733-5000 or visit AllianceTheatre.
